Moment 6

The Gobbi Jobbie

Moment 5

The Crucifixion

Moment 6

Pearlfishers in Verona

Whilst on our 50th Anniversary trip to Italy last year Jane and I had eaten outside at our favourite Trattoria in Verona where once or twice during the evening the Maitre D’ did his operatic ‘karaoke’ thing right at the back of the restaurant ‘miming’ famous tenor arias. This always added to the fun and atmosphere especially as this restaurant was only a few steps away from the famous arena where sounds from the opera being performed spilled out into the night air. As we left after dinner I chatted with the ‘young tenor’ and congratulated him on his ‘performance’ and how ‘realistic’ it had been. He smiled. We returned to the restaurant the next evening but this time we ate inside near the back. As usual the young Maitre D’ prepared the audio player for one of his renditions and duly ‘sang’ the popular aria ‘Vesti La Giubba’. This time I realised to my shame that Matteo, was actually singing not miming! As we listened, my face blushing a bit, an older man wandered into the restaurant and made his way to Matteo as he finished his top B flat. After a little discussion the tape played again and we were treated to a full hearted version of the 3 Tenors’ – “O Sole Mio” – During the applause this quite small old man with a huge voice walked slowly out of the restaurant and disappeared into the night. This could only happen in Italy! As Matteo passed us on his way the Maitre D’s podium he stopped at our table and wagged his finger at me, whilst smiling at my embarrassment! On our way out I chatted with him and shook his hand and before we left I asked him who the old singer was – he replied that he did not know he had never seen him before! The man had said he heard the singing as he passed and thought he would join in. He did tell Matteo that two of his students were performing in that evening’s opera in the Arena and that was where he was going when he dropped in for a sing. If you are still listening, you may well be thinking what all this has to do with any of my musical moments? Well 45 years ago I was performing in the first english amateur performance of Bizet’s opera ‘The Pearl Fishers’ at the Chatham Town Hall. I was lucky enough to perform in the famous tenor and baritone duet – ‘Au Fond du Temple Saint’ the memory of which has remained with me always as a true musical moment. So, the next morning as we left Verona I went to see Matteo sitting at his ‘podium outside his restaurant even though it was mid-morning and I asked him if when we return to Verona next year could we ‘duet’ together with this famous piece. He said he had never sung this duet but had always wanted to - so I agreed to send him the score and the track with baritone part only so he could practice ‘karaoke style’! We agreed the plan which hopefully will happen one day – but in case that day never comes I am including this duet in these ‘Moments’ on this CD. I cannot believe that the wonderful tenor John Innes, widely known as ‘the people’s tenor, who as it happens recorded the tenor part with an orchestra in Prague, coincidentally mixed by Andy, has agreed to let me sing a ‘virtual duet’ using this track. Thank you John. No pressure then…

MOMENT - 6 The Italian Experience

The track with John Innes is still to be mixed - hopefully in November 2015

Until and ‘IF’ - here is another ‘internet version’ of the duet ‘Au Fond du Temple Saint’ from Bizet’s opera The Pearl Fishers that we have recorded with lovely voice of John Oakman (tenor) and the Czech Symphony Orchestra

Click the little white arrow to listen to this track